Houston takes part in #GivingTuesday

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Giving Tuesday is in its fourth year. It encourages people to donate their time, resources and talents to address local challenges. Houston is one of many cities taking part.

“It’s great because now it’s become a tradition. You’re hearing about it a lot more than you did a couple of years ago,” said Eileen Heisman, the CEO of National Philanthropic Trust in NYC.

Heisman said there’s no better time to give back than after two major holidays that revolve around buying.

“You can do any act of kindness,” said Heisman.” You can clean trash up at a local park. You can help somebody who needs help doing something. There’s the salvation army that asks for money in front of stores.”

Here in Houston Vince Wilfork of the Texans and Dwight Howard of the Rockets will be hosting 50 kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Houston at JC Penny. They will each be treated to a $100 shopping spree to help them give gifts to their families.

“It’s nice to stop thinking about shopping and consumerism and to think about how we can be thankful and give back .”

Heisman said over 38 countries participate in Giving Tuesday with billions of dollars given each year. Nonprofits, civic organizations, businesses and corporations, as well as families and individuals are all taking part in small acts of kindness.

“A lot of people like to spread it around but I say stay with a few charities, ones you really like whose causes are really important to you. And then stick with them, not just for Giving Tuesday but for the rest of the year.”